New partnership links library and Columbus City Schools to expand access to e-books
Students in Columbus City Schools have a lot going for them lately.
Chromebooks have been widely distributed to each student who needs one.
And a new program called the Columbus Promise was announced this month that will allow graduates of Columbus City Schools to attend Columbus State Community College for free.
Now, a lesser known partnership has been formed between Ohio's largest school district and Columbus Metropolitan Library to share electronic materials.
Most public schools have their own libraries, rooms for age-appropriate books and learning materials. But the new program aims to increase students’ access to digital books and audiobooks by combining digital reading resources from the library and the schools into a single computer application.
"This really removes a lot of barriers for those who can't get to libraries," said Cathy Mason, Columbus Metropolitan Library's digital buying lead, who is responsible for purchasing digital materials for the library's 23-branch system.
"All they have to do is tap on a button, click on our library and they're off and running," she said.
This partnership and its Sora app are made possible by OverDrive, the digital reading company that serves both the library and schools. The app is used extensively in schools, allowing kids to browse and download materials for school projects or just pleasure reading.
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Now, with the press of an onscreen button on a phone, Chromebook or tablet, age-appropriate books from the Columbus library's 160,000 digital titles will be available free.
And while it's true that kids already have access to public library books, not all have library cards. And not all families make going to the library a priority, say advocates of the new partnership.
“This partnership will provide CCS students with 24/7 access to CML e-books and audiobooks using their school credentials. No library card needed!" Lynda Ray, multiple literacy specialist at Columbus City Schools, said in a written statement. "Students of all ages will benefit from reading more and improve comprehension.”
All public school children in Columbus are issued a student ID, with which they gain access to Sora.
And Sora supports teachers by offering education-specific tools like achievement progress for students, exportable notes, and reading data that encourage individualized learning. All of it at no extra cost to schools or libraries.
"We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Columbus City Schools, removing barriers for its students and helping to equip them for a lifetime of success," said Laura Simonds, director of collection services at Columbus Metropolitan Library.
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Parents might find comfort in knowing their kids are limited to age-appropriate materials, Mason said.
"Schools pick what kind of books they want to make available for each age range," she said.
The overarching goal is literacy, especially among young people.
"We want folks to have opportunities to read, and this provides another way to get books into the hands of kids," Mason said.
The Sora app can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and Google Play, and on Chromebooks that support Google Play. It is also available for use in web browsers at soraapp.com on any computer.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
@DeanNarciso
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A new partnership expands schools access to library's digital books
